Opposition chief Raila Odinga has supported President William Ruto's plan to concession key services at the ports of Mombasa and Lamu despite increasing resistance from Coast leaders in his political party.
The Azimio la Umoja One Kenya leader said on Monday in Mombasa that concession of services at the ports was the best global practice to attract private capital for expansion and modernisation to enhance efficiency.
Speaking during prayers day for this year's national examination candidates in Mombasa, the ODM leader said that he and former President Uhuru Kenyatta sold the plan to Kenyans during the 2022 campaigns.
"We were vilified by UDA leadership during the campaign for saying that we would concession some services at the port to enhance efficiency. I'm surprised that they have embraced it," he said.
Tripartite talks
However, Raila said there must be tripartite talks between the national government, leadership of Mombasa and Lamu counties, and the concessioner before the leasing.
He added: "Before any concession there should be a tripartite of the national government, the home counties, and investors, to agree on how to share the benefit of the deal."
Raila said ports such as Singapore, Antwerp, Amsterdam and Dubai had made huge strides after the concession of port services.
"We want the county governments to get a fair share of what is coming from the ports," said Raila, who said Mombasa County Government should get a slot in the Kenya Ports Authority board of directors.
He insisted that Mombasa should get a share of the revenue generated from the port, saying port cities all over the world benefit from those facilities.
However, local leaders led by Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir called on the government to shelve the plan to give all stakeholders time to consult and agree on how locals would benefit.
"We are not opposed to development, but a big decision like a concession of our only facility cannot be made without consultations. We need investors but we oppose privatisation of the port," said Nassir.
Mvita MP Sudi Machele said the port was an ancestral asset Mombasa people inherited from their forefathers that they will protect for future generations.
"The port is like our ancestral land. Privatisation and concession are the same things, and we are opposed to it," said Machelle.
Ida Odinga, who also addressed the gathering, told students to work hard and avoid drugs and alcohol if they want to be responsible citizens in future.
She asked parents to play an active role in ensuring the students get the right education.
newsdesk@standardmedia.co.ke
